Creamy Tomato Orzo with Shrimp: Your Ultimate Easy and Flavorful Weeknight Meal

Prepare to discover your new favorite go-to recipe: **Creamy Tomato Orzo with Shrimp**! This delightful dish combines the comforting texture of orzo pasta with succulent shrimp, all bathed in a rich, velvety tomato sauce. What makes it truly special? It’s crafted with effortlessly simple ingredients, incredibly easy to prepare even on the busiest weeknights, and absolutely bursting with robust, satisfying flavors. Perfect for a cozy dinner at home or impressing guests with minimal effort, this recipe promises a meal that’s both gourmet-ttasting and wonderfully comforting.

One of the beautiful aspects of this creamy tomato orzo recipe is its adaptability to your personal preference for texture. You hold the power to dictate just how creamy or thick your orzo becomes. For those who crave an extra luscious, spoon-able consistency, don’t hesitate to incorporate more chicken stock and/or heavy cream as it cooks. Keep in mind that as the orzo cools and sits, it naturally absorbs more liquid and will thicken further. For the ultimate dining experience, I highly recommend ensuring your orzo is wonderfully loose and super creamy right before serving. This dish shines on its own, a complete meal in a single bowl, but if you’re looking to elevate the experience, I love to serve it alongside a crisp tomato avocado salad for a refreshing counterpoint, and a side of warm, cheesy garlic bread to scoop up every last drop of that incredible sauce.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Results

Understanding each ingredient’s role is key to mastering this creamy tomato orzo with shrimp. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why:

Orzo – This small, rice-shaped pasta is the star of our dish. It cooks quickly and absorbs flavors beautifully, creating a risotto-like texture. A crucial tip: **do not rinse the dry orzo pasta** before cooking. The starches on its surface are essential for achieving that desirable creamy texture we’re aiming for.
Tomato Paste – Far more concentrated than canned tomatoes, tomato paste provides a deep, rich umami foundation for the sauce. You’ll need about 6 ounces to achieve that robust tomato flavor. Don’t skimp on this; it’s a game-changer! Sautéing it briefly before adding liquids helps to deepen its flavor even further, removing any raw edge.
Chicken Stock – This liquid gold is fundamental for building layers of flavor in your orzo. While water can be used in a pinch, chicken stock (or a good quality vegetable stock for a vegetarian option) infuses the pasta with savory notes that are unmatched. Always have extra on hand, as you might need to adjust the consistency to your liking.
Parmesan Cheese – The secret to an irresistibly creamy and savory finish! For the absolute best results, choose a high-quality block of Parmesan and **use freshly grated parmesan cheese**. Pre-grated varieties often contain anti-caking agents that can affect texture and flavor, whereas fresh Parmesan melts seamlessly and adds a sharp, salty depth.
Sugar – A small amount of sugar might seem unusual in a savory dish, but it plays a vital role here. It helps to **balance the natural acidity of the tomato paste**, preventing the sauce from tasting too sharp and enhancing the overall sweetness and complexity of the tomato flavor. Adjust to taste, but start with the recommended amount.
Salt – Proper seasoning is paramount for any delicious meal. Season both the orzo and the shrimp generously with kosher salt for maximum flavor. Remember, you’re building layers of taste, so season at different stages, tasting as you go.
Shrimp – Any size of shrimp will work wonderfully in this recipe, from small salad shrimp to jumbo prawns. The key is proper preparation. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to **thaw completely** under cold running water or in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. Always peel and devein your shrimp for the best eating experience.
Heavy Cream – This is where the “creamy” in “creamy tomato orzo” truly comes into play. Heavy cream adds a luxurious richness and smooth texture to the sauce, making it incredibly indulgent.
Onion & Garlic – The aromatic backbone of our sauce. Finely diced onion and minced garlic provide essential savory depth and fragrance that elevate the entire dish.
Paprika & Italian Seasoning – These spices lend a beautiful color and a classic Italian-American herbaceousness to the shrimp, complementing the tomato sauce perfectly.
Red Crushed Pepper Flakes – Optional but highly recommended! A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a subtle warmth and a gentle kick, enhancing the dish’s complexity without overwhelming it.
Olive Oil – Essential for sautéing our aromatics and searing the shrimp, providing a healthy fat base and a touch of Mediterranean flavor.

Mastering Your Creamy Orzo: Important Recipe Tips!

Achieving the perfect creamy orzo requires a little attention, but these tips will ensure your dish turns out flawlessly every time:

Consistent Stirring is Crucial: Unlike larger pasta shapes, orzo can be particularly prone to sticking and burning at the bottom of the pot. It is absolutely crucial to stir the orzo frequently, almost continuously, as it cooks. Think of it like making risotto; constant agitation prevents sticking, encourages even cooking, and helps release starches for a creamier sauce. Ideally, you should be stirring the orzo every other minute, especially once the liquid starts to reduce.
Adjust Liquid for Ideal Consistency: The orzo will absorb liquid as it cooks. If you notice the orzo is starting to dry up too quickly and still has a firm bite to it (meaning it’s not yet tender), don’t hesitate to add more chicken stock or even a splash of water. Continue adding liquid gradually, a quarter cup at a time, and stirring the orzo until it is perfectly fluffy, tender, and maintains a luxuriously creamy, saucy consistency. The goal is a loose, flowing sauce, not a dry, sticky clump.
Final Seasoning and Cheese: Once the orzo is fully cooked through and has reached your desired tenderness and creaminess, this is the time to truly make it sing. Stir in lots of freshly grated parmesan cheese – this is non-negotiable for flavor and texture! Then, season generously with salt and pepper to taste. The cheese adds saltiness, so taste before adding too much extra salt. A final minute of gentle cooking after adding the cream and cheese will help everything meld together beautifully before removing it from the heat.

Achieving Perfect Orzo: How Long to Cook?

The cooking time for orzo can vary slightly depending on your stove, pot, and desired texture. Generally, it took about 20 minutes for the orzo to fully cook through to a tender yet slightly al dente consistency in our tests. If you prefer your orzo to be extra tender and soft, you can extend the cooking time by an additional 2-3 minutes, aiming for a total of 22-23 minutes. The best way to determine doneness is always to taste a piece of orzo – it should be tender but not mushy, and still have a pleasant chew. Remember to keep stirring and adding stock as needed throughout this time.

Perfectly Cooked Shrimp: Timing is Everything

Shrimp cook incredibly quickly, and overcooked shrimp can become tough and rubbery, losing their delicate flavor and texture. For tender, succulent shrimp, you should only cook them for approximately 1 minute on each side. The shrimp will turn pink and opaque when perfectly cooked. As soon as they reach this point, remove them from the heat immediately. They will continue to cook slightly from residual heat, so err on the side of undercooking rather than overcooking.

Exciting Recipe Variations to Explore

While this creamy tomato orzo with shrimp is delicious as is, it’s also a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with these variations to suit your taste or what you have on hand:

Protein Power-Ups: Not a fan of shrimp, or simply looking for an alternative? This dish is incredibly versatile! Feel free to top the orzo off with perfectly seasoned grilled chicken slices, browned Italian sausage, a medley of roasted vegetables (like zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms), or even hearty meatballs. Pan-seared scallops or white fish would also be excellent choices.
Pasta Alternatives: If you’re out of orzo or simply want to try something different, you can absolutely use arborio rice instead. This will transform the dish into a creamy tomato risotto, though the cooking time will vary (typically longer, requiring more liquid and constant stirring). Other small pasta shapes like ditalini or pastina could also work, but orzo’s unique size and starch content are ideal for this particular recipe’s texture.
Cheese Enhancements: For an extra layer of tangy or savory flavor, consider crumbling fresh goat cheese or feta cheese over the finished dish just before serving. Their unique profiles will add a delightful counterpoint to the rich tomato sauce and shrimp. A dollop of mascarpone stirred in at the end would also add an even richer creaminess.
Gourmet Touches: A subtle drizzle of high-quality truffle oil over the individual servings just before eating can elevate this dish to a whole new level of sophistication. Its earthy aroma and flavor pair surprisingly well with the tomato and parmesan. Fresh herbs like basil or parsley, finely chopped and scattered over the top, also add a burst of freshness and color.
Spice It Up (or Down): Adjust the amount of red crushed pepper flakes to your heat preference. For more heat, add a bit extra; for less, omit them entirely. You could also experiment with a pinch of smoked paprika for a deeper, more complex smoky flavor.
Lemon Zest Brightness: A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a sprinkle of lemon zest over the finished dish can cut through the richness and add a wonderful, bright acidity that makes all the flavors pop.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you happen to have any leftovers of this delicious creamy tomato orzo with shrimp, they can be stored and reheated for another enjoyable meal. First, allow the orzo with shrimp to cool completely to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. While it’s still perfectly safe to eat after this time, the texture and flavor are best within the first two days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can do so in the microwave for a quick meal, or gently on the stovetop over low heat. When reheating, you’ll likely find that the orzo has thickened considerably. To restore its creamy consistency, add a splash of chicken stock, water, or even a little milk or cream while reheating, stirring gently until it reaches your desired texture and is heated through evenly.

More Delicious Recipes You Might Enjoy…

Cheesy Garlic Orzo
Shrimp Risotto
Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad
Spicy Shrimp and Grits

We hope you thoroughly enjoy this incredible creamy tomato orzo with shrimp recipe! If you’ve tried it and loved it, please take a moment to leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or share your thoughts in the comments section further down the page. Your feedback is invaluable and helps other home cooks discover delicious new meals. And for more culinary inspiration and delightful recipes, consider following me on Facebook or Pinterest! Happy cooking!

5 from 1 vote

Creamy Tomato Orzo with Shrimp

By

Julie Maestre

This Creamy Tomato Orzo with Shrimp is destined to become a household favorite! Crafted with simple, readily available ingredients, it’s remarkably easy to prepare and explodes with incredible, deeply satisfying flavors. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an elegant weekend meal, this one-pot wonder brings restaurant-quality taste right to your table. Its versatile nature allows you to adjust the creaminess and even swap proteins, making it a truly adaptable dish for any palate.

Prep:

5 minutes

Cook:

25 minutes

Total:

30 minutes

Servings:
4

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Ingredients

▢

½
lb
shrimp , peeled and deveined
▢

1 ½
cups
dry orzo pasta
▢

6
ounces
tomato paste
▢

4
cups
chicken stock , or more if needed
▢

½
cup
heavy cream
▢

½
small
onion, finely diced
▢

2
garlic cloves, finely minced
▢

½
teaspoon
paprika
▢

½
teaspoon
Italian seasoning
▢

¼
cup
parmesan cheese
▢

¼
teaspoon
red crushed pepper flakes, optional
▢

½
teaspoon
sugar , or to taste
▢

3
tablespoons
olive oil
▢

salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the finely diced onions to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and red crushed pepper flakes (if using) and cook for just 20 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic. Season this aromatic base with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Add the tomato paste and sugar to the pot, stirring well to combine with the onions and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to deepen in color and flavor. Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a gentle boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
Stir in the dry orzo pasta. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20-22 minutes, stirring frequently (every 1-2 minutes) to prevent sticking and encourage even cooking. As the orzo absorbs liquid, it will thicken. If it starts to look dry before the orzo is tender, add more chicken stock or water, ¼ cup at a time, until the orzo is perfectly cooked, fluffy, and maintains a loose, creamy consistency.
Once the orzo is tender and creamy, stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and melted. Season generously with additional salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 1 minute more, stirring gently, then remove the pot from the heat.
While the orzo is finishing, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a separate skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the hot skillet. Season them lightly with paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp for approximately 40 seconds on each side, just until they turn pink and opaque and are cooked through but still tender. Avoid overcooking to prevent a rubbery texture.
Carefully pour the perfectly cooked shrimp directly over the creamy tomato orzo. Give it a final gentle stir to combine, or serve the orzo in bowls and top with shrimp. Taste and adjust seasoning one last time if necessary. Serve warm and enjoy immediately!

Notes

Stir the orzo frequently as it cooks to prevent sticking and burning, aiming for every 1-2 minutes.
If the orzo becomes too dry but isn’t cooked through, add more chicken stock or water gradually until it’s tender and creamy.
Always add plenty of freshly grated Parmesan cheese and salt after the orzo is fully cooked for optimal flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author:

Julie Maestre

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cook Time:

25 minutes

Total Time:

30 minutes

Course:
Entree

Cuisine:
Italian American

Servings:
4

Calories:
558

Keyword:
creamy tomato orzo, orzo with shrimp, tomato orzo with shrimp, easy shrimp dinner, weeknight orzo recipe, one-pot pasta, seafood pasta

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